An under gardener, with whom his majesty George III, was accustomed familiarly to converse, was missed one day by the king, who inquired of the head gardener where he was. "Please your Majesty," said the gardener, "he is very troublesome with his religion, and is always talking about it." "Is he dishonest," said the king, "does he neglect his work?" "No, your Majesty, he is very honest, I have nothing to say against him for that." "Then send for him again," said the monarch," why should he be turned off? Call me defender of the faith! DEFENDER OF THE FAITH? and turn away a man for his religion?" The king had learnt from this good man, that the place of worship where he attended was supported by voluntary contributions, and was in the habit of giving him a guinea for the quarterly collection.

Chap. iii, ver. 9.-Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing; but contrariwise, blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.

Arcadius, an Argive, was incessantly railing at Philip of Macedon. Venturing once into the dominions of Philip, the courtiers reminded their prince, that he had now an opportunity to punish Arcadius for his past insolences, and to put it out of his power to repeat them. The king, however, instead of seizing the hostile stranger, and putting him to death, dismissed him, loaded him with courtesies and kindnesses. Some time after Arcadius' departure from Macedon, word was brought, that the king's old enemy was become one of his warmest friends, and did nothing but diffuse his praises wherever he went. On hearing this, Philip turned to his courtiers, and asked, with a smile, "Am not I a better physician than you?"

Chap. iii, ver. 12, 13.-For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. And who is he

that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?

During the rebellion in Ireland in 1793, the rebels had long meditated an attack on the Moravian settlement at Grace-Hill, Wexford county. At length they put their threat in execution, and a large body of them marched to the town. When they arrived there, they saw no one in the streets nor in the houses. The brethren had long expected this attack, but true to their Christian profession, they would not have recourse to arms for their defence, but assembled in their chapel, and in solemn prayer besought him in whom they trusted, to be their shield in the hour of danger. The ruffian band, hitherto breathing nothing but destruction and slaughter, were struck with astonishment at this novel sight. Where they expected an armed hand, they saw it clasped in prayer. Where they expected weapon to weapon, and the body armed for the fight, they saw the bended knee and humble head before the altar of the Prince of Peace. They heard the prayer for protection; they heard the intended victims asking mercy for their murderers; they heard the song of praise, and the hymn of confidence in the "sure promise of the Lord." They beheld in silence this little band of Christians; they felt unable to raise their hand against them; and after lingering in the streets which they filled for a night and a day, with one consent they turned and marched away from the place, without having injured an individual, or purloined a single loaf of bread. In consequence of this signal mark of protection from heaven, the inhabitants of the neighboring villages brought their goods, and asked for shelter in Grace-Hill, which they called the City of Refuge.

Chap. iv, ver. 4.-Wherein they think it strange, that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you.

A gentleman, on entering a stage-coach, rubbing his head with a yawn, said, My head aches dreadfully, I was very drunk last night." A person affecting surprise, replied," Drunk! sir. What! do you get drunk?" "Yes," said he, "and so docs every one, at times, I believe. I have no doubt but you do." "No, sir," he replied, " I do not." What! never?" "No, never; and amongst other reasons I have for it, one is, I never find, being sober, that I have too much sense; and I am loth to lose what little I have." This remark put an end to the conversation.

Chap. iv, ver. 16.-Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.

As Mr. Jeremiah Whittaker was riding with one of his intimate friends past Tyburn, (which he had not seen, or not observed before,) he asked what that was; and being answered that it was Tyburn, where so many malefactors had been executed, he stopped his horse, and with much feeling, expressed himself thus: "oh! what a shame is it that so many thousands should die for the satisfaction of their lusts, and so few be found willing to lay down their lives for Christ? Why should not we, in a good cause, and upon a good call, be ready to die for Jesus Christ? It would be an everlasting honor; and it is a thousand times better to die for Christ,-to be hanged, or to be burnt for Christ,-than to die in our beds!"

Chap. v, ver. 5.-Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder; yea, all of you be subject one to another; and be clothed with humility for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

Augustine being asked, Which is the first step to heaven? he replied, " Humility." And which is the second step? said the inquirer; to which the man of God answered, "Humility." And which is the third step to heaven? He again replied, " Humility." It

is one of those modest and retired graces, which best suits a state of dependance and obligation.

Chap. v, ver. 7.-Casting all your cares upon him; for he careth for you.

Mr. Thomas Perkins, a sufferer for conscience sake, was often in great straits. At one time a niece of his, whom he had brought up, going, after her marriage, to visit him, in the course of free conversation with her, he said to her, "Child, how much do you think I have to keep my family? But poor threepence." At which she appearing affected, he with a great deal of cheerfulness cried out, "Fear not, God will provide;" and in a little time, a gentleman's servant knocked at the door, who brought him a haunch of venison as a present, together with some wheat and malt. Upon which he took his niece by the hand, saying, "Do you see, child, here is venison, which is the noblest flesh; and the finest of the wheat for bread; and good malt for drink. Did not I tell you God would provide for us?" Thus they who trust in Providence shall not be forsaken.

II. PETER.

Chap. i, ver. 16.-For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eye-witnesses of his majesty.

Athenagoras, a famous Athenian philosopher in the second century, not only doubted the truth of the Christian religion, but was determined to write against it. However, upon an intimate inquiry into the facts on which it was supported, in the course of his collecting materials for his intended publication, he was convinced by the blaze of its evidence, and turned his designed invective into an elaborate apology, which is still in existence.

Chap. ii, ver. 21.-For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.

A society of infidels were in the practice of meeting together on Sabbath mornings, to ridicule religion, and to encourage each other in all manner of wickedness. At length they proceeded so far, as to meet, by previous agreement, to burn their Bibles! They had lately initiated a young man into their awful mysteries, who had been brought up under great religious advantages, and seemed to promise well; but on that occasion, he proceeded the length of his companions, threw his Bible into the flames, and promised with them, never to go into a place of religious worship again. He was soon afterwards taken ill. He was visited by a serious man, who found him in the agonies of a distressed mind. He spoke to him of his past ways. The poor creature said," It all did well enough while in health, and while I could keep off the thoughts of death;" but when the Redeemer was mentioned to him, he hastily exclaimed," What's the use of talking to me about mercy?" When urged to look to Christ, he said,— "I tell you it's of no use now; 'tis too late, 'tis too late. Once I could pray, but now I can't." He frequently repeated,-" I cannot pray; I will not pray." He shortly afterwards expired, uttering the most dreadful imprecations against some of his companions in iniquity who came to see him, and now and then saying," My Bible! oh the Bible!"

Chap. iii, ver. 11.-Seeing, then, that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness!

Mr. Rogers, a puritan divine, was styled the Enoch of his day. Bishop Kennet said of him, That EngJand hardly ever brought forth a man who walked